Maha govt move on reservations "opportunistic", says Katju

Updated: Thursday, June 26, 2014, 23:27 [IST]

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New Delhi, Jun 26: The move by Maharashtra government to extend reservation in jobs and education to Marathas and Muslims in the state is nothing but "opportunistic vote-bank politics", Press Council of India (PCI) chairperson Justice (retd) Markandey Katju said today.

"I strongly protest against the decision of Maharashtra government to give 16 per cent reservation to Marathas and 5 per cent to Muslims in state government jobs and educational institutions.

This is in addition to the 52 per cent reservation already given to OBCs, thus taking the total reservation to 73 per cent," Katju said in a statement here.

He said that although Supreme Court, in the Indira Sawhney case, permitted maximum 50 per cent reservation, some politicians do not seem to care about the law of the land.

"This is nothing but crass, opportunistic vote-bank politics, particularly since state elections are approaching in Maharashtra," Katju said. Questioning the Maharashtra government, Katju asked whether "meritorious general category people (should) leave (the state)".

"Does the Maharashtra government think that merit is nothing, and all that is relevant is how to win elections? I can only say that I am sorry for the future of Maharashtra," Katju added.